HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 78

RECOGNIZING THAT DELAWARE PARENTS SHOULD WAIT UNTIL THEIR CHILDREN ARE IN EIGHTH GRADE BEFORE PROVIDING THEM SMARTPHONES.

WHEREAS, new research shows dependence on your smartphone may produce some of the same addictive brain responses similar to alcohol, drug and gambling addictions; and

WHEREAS, studies show that after a child receives a smartphone the child’s grades are likely to suffer, with another study finding that children who attend schools with smartphone bans did better on tests; and

WHEREAS, research shows that the more time someone uses social media the more likely they are to be depressed; and

WHEREAS, the most common medium used for cyber bullying is the phone and nearly 43% of children have been bullied online; and

WHEREAS, smartphones have enabled children to view pornography anywhere with one study showing that 42% of online youth users have been exposed to online pornography and of those, 66% reported unwanted exposure to pornography often through online ads; and

WHEREAS, according to a New York Times piece, many technology executives wait until their child is 14 before they allow them to have a phone; and

WHEREAS, the Wait Until Eighth Pledge empowers parents to rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until at least 8th grade.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 149th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein recognize that children should reach the eighth grade before they begin to use smartphones and that the Wait till Eighth Pledge recognizes this goal and facilitates community awareness of smartphone risks in young children.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution supports the Wait Until Eighth Initiative which promotes awareness regarding risks associatied with smartphone use in young children.